NRA president: No on assault weapons ban

By Jedd Rosche

12/23/12 10:59 AM EST

National Rifle Association President David Keene said on Sunday what other NRA surrogates have been suggesting as well: The association will continue to oppose a ban on assault weapons used for "perfectly legitimate purposes."

"These aren't military weapons," Keene told CBS "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer, adding later: "Military weapons are fully automatic weapons and that's illegal. You don't get those. That's not what we're talking about. The impression often is Bob that that is what we're talking about but it isn't. We're talking about sporting arms."

When Schieffer asked if the organization's policies had anything to do with Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Keene responded: "We don't think they have."

Keene later said he's willing to debate the assault weapons ban, but that the previous ban was ineffective.

"We've had what Sen. [Dianne] Feinstein is suggesting. It was allowed to expire. The FBI, the Justice Department and others who studied it said it made no difference. So if we're looking at things that are effective, let's talk about it, but first let's talk about protecting our kids."